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A Forward Operating Base (FOB) is any secured forward operational level military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, machine shop, or other logistical facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported by main operating bases that are required to provide backup support to them.[1] [2]A FOB also improves reaction time to local areas as opposed to having all troops on the main operating base.
Description
In its most basic form, a FOB consists of a ring of barbed wire around a position with a fortified entry control point, or ECP. More advanced FOBs include an assembly of berms, concrete barriers, gates, watchtowers, bunkers and other force protection infrastructure. They are often built from Hesco bastions.[3] FOBs will also have an Entry Control Point (ECP). An ECP is a controlled entry and exit point of the FOB and will typically have positions to protect personnel against Personnel Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (PBIED) and Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED), along with blast mitigation with standoff protection[4]
In Afghanistan during 2011 there were 137 British bases during Operation Herrick, all closing down while the operation ends in 2014.[5]
Bases in Iraq
- FOB Abu Ghraib
- FOB Al Asad
- FOB Caldwell
- FOB Carpenter
- FOB Courage
- FOB Danger
- FOB Falcon
- FOB Echo
- FOB Grizzly
- FOB Iskandariyah
- FOB Kalsu
- FOB Loyalty
- FOB Marez
- FOB MacKenzie
- FOB Q-West
- FOB Speicher
- FOB Sykes
Bases in Afghanistan
FOBs in the United States
Other reported Coalition installations in Afghanistan 2001–2013
See also
- Advance airfield
- Advanced Landing Ground
- Fire support base
- Forward Operating Site
- Loss of Strength Gradient
- Main Operating Base
References
- ^ "forward operating base Official Definition (US DoD)". militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ https://fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/jp3_09_3.pdf
- ^ "Army Logistician (Building a FOB From the Ground Up)". www.alu.army.mil. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ "PdD Combat Armaments and Protection Systems". Project Manager Close Combat Systems. 4 August 2020.
- ^ "Key Milestone in Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan". British Forces News (BFBS). Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.